A COLLECTION of art depicting Second World War life in Southampton has been released today.
The collection, which has been put together by the online family history company, Ancestry, is made up of 80 pieces of art to mark the 80 year anniversary of The Blitz.
It was inspired by the War Artists Advisory Committee, which was established at the outbreak of the war to compile an artistic record of Britain, and by the end of World War II, included 5,570 pieces.
Dr William Butler, Head of Military Records at The National Archives, said: “This fascinating Ancestry project showcases how our historical collections can inspire in such a variety of ways, and has provided such an impressive breadth of responses.
“They provide vivid details of the exploits and heroic deeds of civilians fighting a war away from the battlefields and highlight the sacrifices so often made on the home front.”
All pieces included are based on real-life stories discovered in wartime records on Ancestry with several of these works depicting what it was like for people living in Southampton and it’s surrounding areas in wartime.
Using several mediums from digital illustration to oil paintings, 33 artists from across the country have come together to create their interpretations of these records and images.
They aim to bring to life the extraordinary everyday lives and efforts of people all over the country and the British spirit that shone through whilst they lived and served on the home front.
In Joey Yu’s illustration, she hails Ireen Cole, who continued to serve meals in St Boniface Hall.
Matt Joyce illustrates the heroic efforts of John Crosthwaite White, for firefighting at the Polygon Hotel, which had 30 bombs fall on it in one night in 1940.
Alex Francis depicts Eva Turner, who despite having her own home bombed, shelters a young woman during an air raid using a mattress, and following the Southampton air raids, Nay Groves portrays soldiers receiving refreshments at the Y.M.C.A canteen.
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